Shoe machine



March 5, 1935. L. E. 'roPHA'M SHOE MACHINE Filed June 29, 1933 B Sheets-Sheet l Ill .111 i n L 5,.1935. L. E. TOPHAM .1,993,e34

. ,SHOE MACHINE Filed June 29, 1935 s sheets-s eet z Map ch 5, 1935. L. E; TOPHAM siioE MACHINE Filed June 29. 1933 '8 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 5, 1935.- L. E. TQPHAM SHOE MACHINE Filed Jupe 29, 19:53

8 She'etsSheet 4 March 5, 1935.

L. E. TOPHAM SHOE MACHINE Filed June 29, 1933.

8 Sheets-Sheet 5 L. E. TOPHAM SHOE MACHINE March 5, 1935.

Filed June 29, 1935 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 E; ToPHAM I March 5, 1935.

SHOE MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed June 29, 1933 Q fiver afar March 5, 1935. E. TO'IPHAM SHOE MACHINE Filed June 29, 1935 .236 lizr/ezzivf -4% II "I.

Patented Mar. 5, 1935 'r OFFICE SHOE MACHINE Lawrence E. Topham, Wenham, Mass, assignor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Paterson, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application June 29, 1933, Serial No. 678,181

21 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in shoe machines of the automatic type, such for example as disclosed. in U. S. patents to Topham Nos. 1,616,710 and 1,753,452, in which the shoe and the means for operating on" the shoe are moved relatively to transfer the'point of operation about the shoe and to change the relative positionsof the shoe and the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe.

In machines of this type the shoe is mounted in ajack and the jack and the operating means are moved to change the relative positions of the shoe and the operating means byposition changing mechanism comprising suitable connections and a pattern cam shaft driven one complete rotation for each shoe operated upon; In order that the cam shaft might complete a rotation in thcsame time required by the operating means in properly performing an operation uniformly on any size of shoe, mechanism heretofore has been provided for automatically causing the cam shaft to be rotated and the shoe to be operated upon by the operating means at different relative speed ratios.

To cover the full range of shoe sizes and desired variations in feeding movements 'imparted-tothe shoe, as for instance a change in the number of stitches per inch in a stitcher, the necessary 'ratios of relative speeds for these two parts of the machine must include a large range. Heret'ofore the ratios of operating speeds-of the operating means and the cam shaft were adjusted while the machine was running, and the extent of adjustment was controlled by the amount 'of departure from the proper relative positions of the shoe and the cam shaft or a speed regulating started, departures from the relative positions of the shoe and the cam shaft may take place due to different shoe shapes or styles, which departures may be cumulative in effect and cause diifi oulty for this reason. The use of a relative speed regulating adjustment comprising a part of the required adjustment being made before the machine is started and a part being made While the machine is running gives better results but the fundamental defects of the two methods of ad justment still exist.

.The object of the present invention is to provide'simplified and improved mechanism'inthe type of machine referred to, for automatically and reliably maintaining during operation the shoe and the position changing mechanism in proper. timed relation, regardless of changes in shoe sizes, shapes or any adjustments made before the machine is operated;

With this and other'objects in view, a feature of the present invention contemplates the provision of a variable speed driving mechanism for the position changing mechanism. of an automatic shoe machine, which acts while the machine is running to maintain any departures from proper-relative positions of the shoe and the position changing mechanism within a predetermined limit throughout the full rangeof relative speeds of the position changing mechanism, and of the feeding movement of the shoe necessary to present any size or shape of shoe properly'to the operating means. In the specific embodiment of this feature of the invention, hereinafter described, the driving mechanism between the operating means and the position changing mechanism is so arranged that a part of the speed regulating adjustment will take place abruptly to compensatefor any variation in shoe shapes or other irregularities. The remaining amount of necessary adjustment, in the present embodiment of the invention, takes place progressively while the machine is running to compensate for changes in size of shoes operated upon and in rate .of feed. As illustrated, the

abrupt regulation of speed adjustment covers a comparatively small range of speed ratios and the progressive regulation of speed adjustment covers a relatively largerange of speed ratios. I In the form described, the progressive regulation of speed adjustment is controlled by the length of time required to cause the shoe and the position changing mechanism to be brought into proper timed relation. The direction of progressive speed adjustment is alternately reversed between a speed of the position changing camshaft, slow relatively to the feeding movement of the shoe and a speed fast relatively to the feeding movement of the shoe. By causing the abrupt and progressive regulation'of speed adjustments to have simultaneous additive effects, the necessary range of speeds covered by the abruptspeed adjustment is reduced to a minimum, which is limited only by the immediate demand for adjust-; ment when the maximum departure from proper relative positions of the shoe and the position changing mechanism for any known operating amount smaller than that possible with speed adjusting mechanism heretofore used and, since the abrupt adjustment of speed is sufficient to cause the maximum possible departure from proper relative positions to be immediately creased, the position of the shoe after the abrupt adjustment takes place immediately becomes more nearly correct as it is being presented to the operating means.

The features of the invention above referred to, and other novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described and claimed will be readily understood by those skilled in the art from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate one specific embodiment of the invention.

In the drawingsv Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of a portion of a machine embodying the features of the invention; Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the machine looking from the right of Fig. 1, parts of the frame being broken away and shown in section; Fig. 3 is a plan View of the machine with the upper frame portions removed, parts having been broken away; Fig. 4 is a sectional plan View on an enlarged scale taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a view in elevation, and partly broken away and in section along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a sectional detail View of an indicator for the machine; Fig. 8 is a plan view, partly in section of certain ofthe driving connections for the machine; Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic'view illustrating the electrical connections of the machine; Fig. 11 is a detail view in front elevation of a switch included in the electrical connections; and Fig. 12 is a detail view in side elevation of the same switch. 5

The frame of the machine comprises a main base 2 arranged to carry frames 4 and 6 for the sewing and power drive mechanisms, respectively. The power drive frame 6 supports a frame '8 carrying a power operated starting mechanism and a driving motor 10 above it. The motor 10 drives a vertical shaft 12 to operate the constantly rotating driver indicated at 14. The driver 14 is fast on a vertical shaft 16 connected with the motor shaft 12 and is formed at its lower portion with a clutching surface to engage a similarly shaped surface on a driven clutch member 18 having a sleeve portion 20 freely slidable and rotatable on the shaft 16. The driven clutch member is moved into engagement with the clutching surface on the driver 14- the power starting mechanism which is controlled by a handle 22 projecting downwardly from the frame 8. V

The driven clutch member-18 is connected by gears 23, 24 to a main sewing cam shaft 25 for actuating lockstitch sewing. mechanism comprising a shuttle 26, a presser-foot 28, a feed slide 30, a shuttle thread measuring de 'ce 32, and

other stitch forming and work feeding members which are substantially the as those lustrated and described in the application for U. S. patent of G. R. Haas, Ser. No. 600,016, filed March 19, 1932. The work feeding devices of the machine comprise the feed slide, togeter with the stitch forming deviceswhich are supported thereon and operate to impart a continuous feeding movement to the shoe. As the shoe is fed, it is tipped and turned to change the position of the shoe as it is presented to the stitch-forming devices. The rate of advance of the work by the stitch-forming devices is adjustable to vary the number of stitches per inch in the manner de scribed in the Haas application referred to.

To support the shoe, a jack, indicated at 34, is provided suitably mounted within the main 2 of the machine to permit it to be given the proper shoe positioning movements. These movements are imparted to the jack by cams on a pattern cam shaft 36, against which'icllowers connected with the jack mounting operate. The cam shaft is driven from the gear 23 which is formed on the driven clutch member 18, so that when the driven clutch member engages the main driving member 14, both the sewing shaft 25 and the pattern cam shaft 36 will be operated simultaneously.

The machine is brought to rest by a driving and stopping mechanism comprising a lock bolt 38 (see Fig. 2) mounted in a carrier 40 and arranged to engage a cam slot 42 in the sleeve portion 20 of the driven clutch member 18. The carrier 40 is in the form of a bell crank, one arm of which cooperates with a latch 44 to hold the carrier in fixed position when the machine is stopped. To operate the driving and stopping mechanism upon the completion of an operation on a shoe, the latch 44 is caused to engage the carrier 40, thus causing the lock bolt tc'remain stationary and the driven clutch member to be disengaged'from the main driver 14.

The machine is arranged to operate on different sizes of shoes and the pattern cam to a bell-crank lever 52 (see Fig. 3) operated by a cam on the cam shaft to cause a movement of one end of the arm corresponding with the feeding movement imparted to the she sewing mechanism. The arm is pivoted to the main frame 2 of the machine at 54 and is con-- nected to the cam operated lever .52 by links 5 and 58. The link 56 is pivotally connected t the arm 50 at 60 and to one end of the link 5 by a pivot 62, the other end of the link 58 bein pivotally connected to an arm of the bell crank 52. The pivot 62 is connected by a link 64 to an arm 66 mounted on a fixed shaft so that 4 the machine is at rest the arm 50 may be e about its pivot 54, causing the arm 66 to about the shaft 68. The free end of the at is connected to the toe supporting portion of the jack 34 by a link 67.

Before the machine is started in operation, the position of the arm 50 is determined by the f the shoe. Positioning the shoe with respect the point of operation of the stitch-forming devices moves the arm 59 through the link 67. arm 66 is then looked in position so that the 50 may not move thereafter except as actuated from the bell crank 52. -To look the arm 66, a clamping device '70 is provided which acts to grip a rod 72 connected at one end to the end of the arm 66. These and other mechanisms in the machine operate in substantially the manner, except as hereinafter described, as in mach e of applicants prior patents, ab to w h reference may be had for a me e com plete and detailed description.

The pattern cam shaft 36 of the machine is driven from the driven clutch member 18 at definite speed relatively to the speed of the sewscribed, comprising a gear '74 meshing with the gear 23 on the driven clutch member 18. The gear 74 is secured to the upper end of a vertical shaft '76 rotatably mounted in the frame 6 of the machine and formed at its lower end with a slotted block 28 engaging a tongue on a clutch block 80. The clutch block acts to drive an aligned vertical shaft 82 by engaging a clutch member 84 the upper end of the shaft 82, and the lower end of the shaft 82 carries a beveled gear 86, meshing with a correspondingly shaped gear 88 on one end of a horizontal shaft 90. The shaft 90 extends through the right side of the machine frame 2, and is connected to an aligns shaft 92 by means of a tongue and slot connection 94 (see 4). The shaft 92 operates a driven shaft 96 ofa driving mechanism contained within a housing 98. The driven shaft (Figs 4 and 6) carries a spur gear lilll meshing with a gear 182 fixed to one end of a shaft 104. The shaft 104 is supported in bearings 106 and 108 in the sides of a casing 110 and operates a shaft 112 rotatably mounted in the casing. The shaft 112 carries at one end a spur gear 114 meshing I with an idler gear 116 journalled on a stub shaft 118 fixed to the side "of the casing 110 and the idler 116 drives a hollow shaft 120 surrounding the shaft 90 carrying at its outer end a gear 122 engaging the idler 116. The hollow shaft 120 forms a bearing for the shaft 90 and itself is provided with bearings 124 at either end of a tubular sleeve 126 secured to the frame 2 of the machine by screws 128 passing through holes in a flanged portion formed at one end of the tubular casing. The tubular sleeve 126 extends inwardly of the frame 2 towards the left and is fit ted within an opening formed in an angular bracket 130 (see Fig. 6) having a bearing 132 supported the hub of a bevel gear 134 meshing with a second bevel gear 136secured to the inner end of the'hollow. shaft 120. The bevel gear 134 is journalled on the lower end of the shaft 82, and the gear 86 at'the lower end of the shaft 82 supports the bevel gear 134and the bearing 132 in the bracket- 130. The bevel gear 134 is connected to a hollow vertical shaft 138 surrounding the vertical shaft 82 and carrying at its upper end a spurv gear 140 keyed thereto. The gear 140 drives the gear 43 secured to the upper end of the patten cam shaft by a series of gears 142, 144, 146, 147, 148 and 156.

According to the presentinvention, the gear ratio of the system of gearing described is regulated automatically so that the jack is actuated through a complete cycle of positioning movements regardless of the size. of shoe or the length of stitch in the same time as required by thefeeding devices to complete the feeding movement of the shoe. After the operation is started on a shoe, which for any reason may require a different speed of pattern camshaft rotation than that required by the shoe previously oper ated upon, the system of gearing described is arranged to adjust automatically the speed at which the cam shaft is rotated and to cause the jack to be moved to present the shoe properly to the stitch forming'devices at all times during the feeding movement. The cam shaft and the stitch forming devices in this relation continue to cause the shoe to be properly presented to the stitch forming devices hroughout the operation on the shoe, which relation is maintained without departure greater than a predetermined amount until the machine is brought to rest by the driving and stopping mechanism.

To regulate the speed of rotation of the pattern cam shaft to correspond to the feeding movement impartedto any size of shoe with any adjustment of the feeding devices of the sewing mechanism, the ratio of relat've speeds of the sewing mechanism and the pattern cam shaft is progressively adjusted by variable driving mechanism acting between the shafts 92 and 96, con tained in the housing 98. The length of time in which the variable speed adjusting mechanism operates to increase or decrease the speed is de ternn'ned by the adjustment of speed required to bring the pattern cam shaft to a position corresponding with the position of the operating means on the shoe.

The progressively variable speed adjusting mechanism comprises pairs of relatively movable sonically faced wheels 1552 and 154 carried by the shafts 92 and 96, respectively within housing 98. The wheels are connected to rotate with the shafts on whic they are mounted, but are freely shiftable longitudinally of each shaft towards and from each other. The conical faces of the wheels are provided with a series of corrugations formed by making a number of radially extending grooves in the wheels. The grooves are spaced equal distances apart in a circumferential direction and each wheel of a pair is so located that all the grooves in one Wheel lie opposite ungrooved portions of the other of the pair. Rotation is imparted from the wheels 152 to the wheels 154 by a chain having pivotally connected links 156 in each of which are arranged a number of parallel, equal length slats 158 slidable transversely of the length of the chain to engage the corrugations in the force applied by the wheels to the chain and vice versa, so that rotation of the shaft 92 causes the shaft 96 to be rotated.

To cause the speed ratio of the shafts-92 and 96 to be varied, the wheels 152 and 154 are moved in opposite directions towards and each other. If the wheels 152 are moved together, and the wheels 154 separated, the slats 158. in the chain will be supported at a distance further fromthe centers of the wheels 152 and nearer the centers of the wheels 154, due to the conical shape of the wheel faces, so that the chain will be. driven at a higher speed by the wheels 152, and will cause a faster rotation of thewheels 154. When the wheels 154 are brought together and the wheels 152 are separated, a reduction in speed of the shaft 96 will result in a similar manner. The wheels are held against the chain'by levers consisting of horizontal plates 16o fulcr'iuned on studs 162 secured to opposite sides of the housing 98. There are two similar plates at each side of the housing, one above and one below the shafts on which the wheels are mounted, each be moved together while the wheels of the other pair separate. To move the lever plates 169 one end of each plate is slotted, andsurrounds a stud 1'20 supported by either of two carriers 172 having passages through which a control rod 174 extends. This rod is threaded with a right hand thread along one part and with a left hand thread along another part to cooperate with threads in the passages of the respective carriers 172, and the rod is rotatably mounted in bearings in the housing 98. When the rod is rotated in one direction, the pairs of fulcrum plates 160 are rocked about their fulcrum studs in opposite directions and the speed ratio of the progressively variable driving mechanism will be increased. When the rod is rotated in the other direction, the speed ratio will be decreased.

To rotate the threaded control rod 174 of the variable speed driving mechanism in one direction or the other, one end of the rod carries a gear 1'16 meshing with a spur gear 1'78 mounted on a shaft 180 rotatable in the control casing 110. One end of the shaft 180 is loosely supported by a removable bearing 182, and the other end by the hub of a gear wheel 184. The shaft 180 is rotated from the driven shaft 96 of the driving mechanism in the housing 98 by the differential action of a planetary system of gears comprising a spider 186 fixed to the shaft 180 and provided with idler gears 188 rotatably mounted on stub shafts carried thereby. Theidler gears 188 mesh with gear teeth 189 formed on one end of a sleeve 190 loose on the shaft 180, and with internal teeth formed on the gear wheel 184 to produce a rotation of the shaft 180 which corresponds in speed to the difference in relative speeds of the sleeve 190 and the gear wheel 184.

The sleeve 190 is driven at a fixed speed in the direction of the arrow in Fig. relative to the shaft 96 through the gear 100 on the shaft 96, the gear 102 on the shaft 104, a clutch block 192 secured to the shaft 104, a gear 194 formed on the clutch block 192, a, gear 196 rotatably mounted on a bracket 193 on the casing 110, and gear teeth 199 on the sleeve 190 engaged by the gear 196. The gear wheel 184 forming a part of the planetary system is driven in a direction opposite from that of the sleeve 190, as shown by the arrows in Fig. 5, at either of two speeds, one being faster than the speed of the sleeve 190, and the other being slower, so that when the gear wheel 184 is rotated faster, the shaft 180 will be rotated in one direction, and when the gear wheel 184 is rotated slower, the shaft 180 will be rotated in the other direction.

To change the speed of the gear wheel 184, the clutch block 192 is slidable with the shaft 104, longitudinally thereof, in bearingsformed by the hubs of gears 200 and 202. The hubs of the gears 200 and 202 are rotatable in the bearings 106 and 108 loosely surrounding the shaft 104, respectively, and are secured against axial movement by collars 204 and 206 attached to the ends of the gear hubs, respectively. The gears 200 and 202 are provided with axially projecting teeth which cooperate with corresponding teeth extending from the clutch block 192 when the clutch block is moved into engagement with either of the gear wheels 200 or 202. The teeth on the gears 100 and 196 cooperating with the gears 102 and 194, respectively, are of sufficient length to provide driving connections in any position to which the shaft 104 supporting the gears 102 and 104 is moved.

When the clutch block 192 is in engagement with the gear 202, as shown in Fig. 4, the gear 202 is driven directly from the clutch block at the same speed of rotation as the shaft 104, causing the gear wheel 184 to rotate at a speed lower than the speed of rotation of the sleeve 190 surrounding the shaft 180. The spider 186 on the shaft 180 will, therefore, be rotated in the same direction as the sleeve 190, causing the threaded rod 174 for controlling the variable speed driving mechanism to be rotated in a direction which will cause the speed ratio of the variable speed mechanism to be reduced progressively so long as the clutch clock engages the gear 202.

When the clutch block 192 is shifted into engagement with the gear 200, the gear 202 is no longer driven at the speed of the shaft 104, but is driven at a higher speed produced by a driving connection through the gear 200 and a gear 208 fixed to the shaft 112. A second gear 210, also fixed to the shaft 112, is arranged to mesh with the teeth on the ear 202, causing it to be driven at a higher speed and the gear wheel 184 to rotate at a higher speed than the sleeve 190. This causes the shaft 180 and the rod 174 to be rotated in the reversedirection, and the gear ratio of the variable speed mechanism to be increased progressively.

To prevent the rod 174 from being rotated too far, a collar 212 is secured to the rod in a position where it will be engaged by one of the carriers 1'72, and a slip clutch 214 is provided between the gear 176 and the end of the rod 174 to permit the gear 176' to rotate without causing further rotation of the rod 174 when the carrier 1'72 engages the collar 212.

The clutch block 192 is magnetically actuated from engagement with the gear 202, as shown in Figure 4, into engagement with the gear 200, as shown in Fig. 10, when the speed of the pattern cam shaft 36 is too slow with respect to the feeding movement imparted to the shoe by the feeding devices in the sewing mechanism. To actuate the clutch block 192, a circuit is closed through a switch operated by the link 6''! which connects the arm 50 with the shoe supporting jack. The switch is mounted on the end of the arm 50 and comprises a fixed contact 216 and a movable contact 218, the movable contact being mounted on and insulated from an arm 220 pivoted on a vertical stud 222 secured to the end of the arm 50. The movable switch contact is moved towards engagement with the fixed contact by a coiled spring 224 surrounding the stud 222 and having its ends connected respectively to a nut 226 fixed on the upper end of stud 222, and a pin 228 on a projection 229 of the arm 220. The movable contact is separated from the fixed contact by engagement of a set screw 230 in a lever 232 with the projection 229 on the arm 220. The lever 232 is forked to embrace the end of the arm 50 and the stud 222 passes loosely through the forked portions above and below the arm 50. The movement of the lever 232 is limited in one direction by a set screw 234 in an arm of the lever 232 which engages a lug 236 at the end of the arm 50, and in the other direction by a set screw 238 in the lug 236 which engages the other arm of the lever 232, the movement permitted being sufficient only to cause the switch to effectively'open and close the circuit. The end of the lever 232 is pivotally connected to the link 67 from the jack so that the lever will be shifted on the arm 50 when the feeding movement of the shoe differs from the movement of the arm 50.

The electrical control circuit closed through the contacts 216 and 218 of the switch comprises a relay 242 in series therewith. "The contacts of the relay, when engaged, act to complete a second circuit connected to a solenoid 244 and to power mains 246 which also energize the transformer 24o. iWhen-the circuit through'the contacts 216,218 and the relay 242 are energized, thesolenoid 244 raises its armature v248 connected to a lever 250 and discngagesthe clutch block 152 from the gear 202, causing it to be, 811-. gaged with the gear 200.

To connect thelever 250 to the clutch block 192, the lever is pivotally connectedto the lower end of a link 252, the upper end of which is pivoted on a portion of the main frame 2 supporting the housing 98 and the casing 110. The other end of the lever 250 is connected to an arm 254 by a link 256 and .the arm is fixed to 'a shaft 258 rotatably mounted in the cover of the casing 110. The shaft 258 also carries an arm 2%, the lower end'ef which isforlred and provided with pins engaging a slot in the clutch block 192 to cause it' to be shifted between the gears 200 and 292 while permitting rotation thereof. When the contacts 216 and 218 are disconnected, the

weight of the armature 248 .moves. the clutch block 192 in the opposite direction to engage the gear 202.

In order to limit the departure from proper position of the cam shaft 36 relative to the position of the shoe being operated upon, in the present embodiment of the invention the speed of retation of the cam shaft is abruptly adjusted a predetermined amount whenever the contacts 218 or 218 are engaged or disengaged so that under the worst momentary operating conditions, the cam shaft is rotated relatively faster than the feeding rate of the shoe when the shoe leads the cam shaft and is rotated relatively;

slower than the feeding rate of the shoe when the shoe lags behind the cam shaft. The abrupt adjustment of speed is produced in the present machine by the same set of gears which operates ,to reverse the direction of rotation of the control rod 174 in the progressively variable driving mechanism. When the clutch block 192 engages the gear 202, as in Figure'4, the gear 202 rotates at the same speed as the shaft 104, causing the shaft 112 to be driven at a comparatively" slow speed. When the clutch block is shifted into engagement with the gear 200, the gear 2o2'is no longer driven at the same speed as the shaft 104 on which it is mounted, but the gear 290 then acts together with the gear 208 to drive the shaft 112, the ratio of the gears 200, 208 causing a faster rotation of the shaft 112 than the ratio of the gears 202, 210 previously acting. This abrupt adjustment in the speed ratio ofithe system of gearing between the sewing shaft and the pattern cam shaft is sufficient to cause the. de-

parture from proper'relative positions of the shoe and the cam shaft to be immediately reduced. So long as the switch remains in either open or closed position, the prog'ressivelyvariable speed driving mechanism will act to bring the speed of the pattern cam shaft as nearly as possible to the speed-required by the feeding devices on the shoe. After the speed of the cam shaft has been properly regulated by the variable speed driving mechanism, the switch contacts'will beyequalto,

the periods of disengagement until some further occurrenceactsto disturb the timed relation of. theshoe and the earn shaft.

1, To prevent the solenoid'244 from being enerr gized while the machine is at rest in a position in which the teeth do not register with the spaces between the teeth on the gear 200, so that the armature 248 may not be drawn fully within the J solenoid, the circuit to :the relay 242 is broken I when the machine is brought to rest. In starting the machine in operation, the power driven starting mechanism acts to shift a rod 262 (see Figs; -8 and 9)- whichextends across ihe front ofuthe machine base towards the right. As this 2. When the rod 2'72is moved towards the left,

it actuate s the push button switch 2'76 to close the circuit of the relay 242 and maintains the circuit closed so long as the machine is running.

When the machine is brought torest, the rod 272 is shifted towards the right, releasing the button of the push button switch 276 and permitting the circuit to'be opened thereby.

- To assist the operator in determining whetheror not the variable speed driving mechanism is properly regulated before starting the operation" on a new shoe, an indicator is provided having a connection to the mechanism for adjusting the speed of the variable speed mechanism. This indicator comprises-a dial 278' attached to 'the'end of a short inclined shaft 23c rotatably mounted in a passage through a side portionof the housing 98; The shaft 230 is formed with a groove 282 engaged by a pin 284 secured in the housing teprevent longitudinal movement of the shaft. A series of pinion teeth 286 are formed at the lower end of the shaft 230 to engage correspond;

ing rack teeth at the outer end of a horizontal "rod 288 slidably mounted in the side portion of the housing 98. The inner end of the 'rod 288'is connected to one of the lower lever plates 160,'s0'

that as the plates are shifted about their fulcrum 162, the rod 283 will be reciprocated'and the shaft 230 and dial 278 rotated correspondingly. The dial is provided'with arbitrary'markings which may be noted by. the operator in sewing. a shoe of a particular size while employing a par ticular length of stitch. From this, the operator? knows that so long as the same length of 'stitch is employed, the'indicating dial 278 should always be in the noted position to operate properly on the same sized shoe. 4 p 4 The nature and scope of the invention having been indicated and a specific embodiment illusing been described, what is claimedis:

l. A shoe machine having, in combination,

transferred about the shoe, and means actuated by a departure from the proper relative positions of the shoe and. the position changing mechanism while the machine is running forfadiusting the ratio .of speed .of the feeding. means to the speed of the position changing mechanism'to '60 trating the several features of the inventionhavproperly present any size of 'shoe'to the operating means and for thereafter restoring the proper speed relations to the feeding means and the position changing mechanism when the feeding position of the shoe departs from the properv corresponding position of the position changing mechanism during the operation on the shoe.

2. A shoe machine having, in combination,

means for operating on a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for feeding the shoe, mechanism for changing the relative positionsof the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe, and means actuated by a departure from proper relative positions of the shoe and of the position changing mechanism for adjusting the ratio of speed of the feeding means to the speed of the position changing mechanism to properly present any size of shoe to the operating means and for abruptly adjusting the relative speeds of the feeding means and the position changing mechanism to prevent further departure from said proper relative positions after the speed ratio adjusting means is actuated.

3. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating on a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for feeding the shoe, mechanism for changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe, and means actuated by a departure from the proper relative positions of the shoe and of the position changing mechanism for abruptly adjusting by a predetermined amount the ratio of speed of the feeding means to the speed of the position changing mechanism to prevent further departure from said proper relative positions after the speed adjusting means is actuated and for progressively adjusting by a larger amount the relative speeds of the feeding means and the position changing mechanism to properly present any size of shoe to the operating means at any rate of feed.

4. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating on a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for feeding the shoe, mechanism for changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe, means acting automatically to adjust progressively the speed of the position changing mechanism between a speed fast with relation to the normal feeding rate of the shoe, and a speed slow with relation to said rate, and means for automatically reversing the direction of speed adjustment to maintain the proper timed relation of the shoe and'th'e position changing mechanism.

5. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating on a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for feeding the shoe, mechanism for changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe, means acting automatically to adjust progressively the speed of the position changing mechanism between a speed fast with relation to the normal feeding rate of the shoe, anda speed slow with relation to said rate and means controlled by the feedingposition of the shoe for reversing the direction of speed adjustment to maintain the proper timed relation of the shoe and the position changing mechanism.

6. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating on a shoe, a shoe suppor ing jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for feeding the shoe, mechanism for changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe, means acting automatically to adjust'progressively the speed of the position changing mechanism between a speed fast with relation to the normal feeding rate of the shoe, and a speed slow with relation to said rate and means acting auto-- matically to reverse the direction of speed adjustment as the shoe leadsor lags behind the position changing mechanism and simultaneously to adjust abruptly the speed of the position changing mechanism.

7. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating on a shoe, a shoe supporting jack, means for feeding the shoe, a pattern cam shaft, mechanism operated thereby for changing the relative positions of the shoe and the operating means to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe, a variable speed driving mechanism for the cam shaft comprising means acting automatically to adjust progressively the speed of the cam shaft between a speed fast with relation to the normal feeding rate of the shoe and a speed slow with relation to said rate, and means acting automatically to reverse the direction of speed adjustment as the shoe leads or lags behind the position changing mechanism.

, 8. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating on a shoe, a shoe supporting jack, means for feeding the shoe, a pattern cam shaft, mechanism operated thereby for changing the relative positions of the shoe and the operating means to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe, a variable speed driving mechanism for the cam shaft having a high and a low speed adjustment and comprising means acting automatically to adjust progressively the speed of the cam shaft between a speed fast with relation to the normal feeding rate of the shoe and a speed slow with relation to said rate, and means acting automatically to reverse the direction of speed adjustment and simultaneously to shift from either said high or low speed adjustments to the other as the shoe leads or lags behind the position changing mechanism.

9. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating on a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for feeding the shoe, a pattern cam shaft, mechanism operated thereby for continuously adjusting the relative positions of the operating means and jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe, an arm operated by the pattern cam shaft, a connection between the arm and thejack including a member operated by a departure from the proper relative positions of the shoe and the cam shaft, and means for causing a progressive increase in the speed of the cam shaft relativeto that of the feeding means when said member is in one position and noes-ps4 for causing a progressive decrease in the speed of the cam shaft relative to that of the feeding means when said member is moved to any other position. 7

10. A shoe machine having in combination, means for operating on a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for feeding the shoe, a pattern cam shaft, mechanism operated thereby for changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe, an arm operated by the pattern cam shaft, a connection between the arm and the jack including a member operated by a departure from the proper relative positions of the shoe and the cam shaft, and means controlled by the length of time in which said member remains in any one position for producing a progressively increasing or decreasing adjustment in the relaive speeds of the cam shaft and of the feeding means to restore the said proper relativepositions.

means for operating on a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means,

means for feeding the shoe, apattern-cam shaft, mechanism operated thereby for continuously changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present theshoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe, an arm actuated by the pattern cam shaft, connections adjustable to the size of a shoe between the arm and the pattern cam shaft, acting when the shoe is properly presented to the operating means at the beginning of an operation on a shoe, to produce a movement of the arm corresponding with the feeding movement of the shoe, variablespeed driving mechanism connecting theshoe feeding means and the cam shaft and comprising means for causing a progressive adjustment of the speed of the cam shaft when the movement of said arm does not correspond with the feeding movement of the shoe, and means for preventing the movement of said arm from interfering with the feeding movement of the shoe.

12. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating on a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for feeding the shoe, a pattern cam shaft, mechanism operated thereby for changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe, an arm, connections adjustable to the size of the shoe between the arm and the pattern cam shaft acting when the shoe is properly presented to the operating means at the beginning of an operation on the shoe to produce a movement of the arm corresponding with the feeding movement of the shoe, and variable speed driving mechanism connecting the shoe feeding means and the cam shaft for automatically regulating during operation of the machine, the relative speeds at whichthe feeding means and the cam shaft operate with changes in shoe sizes, said mechanism comprising means for causing a progressive adjustment in speed ratio of the mechanism when the relative positions of the shoe and the arm change to restore theproper timed relation of the shoe and the position changing mechanism in presenting the shoe.

13. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating on a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for feeding the shoe, a pat ern cam shaft, mechanism actuated thereby for changing the relative positionsof the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe, an arm, connections adjustable to the size of the shoe between the arm and the pattern cam shaft acting when the shoe is properly presented to the operating means to produce a mover ent of the arm corresponding with the feeding movement of the hoe, variable speed driving mechanism connecting the shoe feeding means the pattern camshaft for progressively a'djusting the relative speeds atwhich the feeding means and the cam shaft operate with changes in shoe sizesan electric switch, one contact of which is connected to the arm and another of which is connected to the jack, and an electromagnet controlled by the switch for causing a decrease in the speed ratio of the variabl speed driving mechanism when the switch contacts are 1 engaged andfor causing an increase in the speed ratio when the switch contacts disengaged.

14. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for op rating on a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means,

means for feeding the sh'oe, a pattern cam shaft,-

mechanism operated thereby for imparting relative movements to the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means means is transferred about the shoe, meansfor abruptly adjusting the speed of the cam shaft relative to that of the feeding means when the shoe is out of time with the shaft, means acting simultaneously upon the occurrence of the out of time relation for causing a progressive ad justment in the speed of the said cam shaft relative to that of the feeding means.

15. A shoe machine having. in combination,

means for operating on a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operatin means, means for feeding the shoe, a pattern cam shaft.

mechanism operated thereby for changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating meansas the point of operation is transferred about the shoe, means for abruptly adjusting the speed of the pattern cam shaft when the shoe is out of time with the cam shaft, and means acting simultaneously upon the occurrence of the out of time relation for causing a progressively changing adjustmentin the speed of the cam shaft produced by the abruptly acting means.

16. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating on a shoe, a shoesupporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for feeding the shoe, a pattern cam shaft, mechanism operated thereby for changin the relative positions of the operating means and the jack as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe, variable speed driving mechanism connected between the feeding means and the pattern cam shaft and arranged to produce a progressive adjustment in the speed of the cam shaft relative to the speed of the feeding means, and means for indicating the speed ratio of the driving mechanism according to the adjustment so produced.

17. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating on a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for feeding the shoe, a pattern cam shaft,

as the point of operation the operating mechanism operated thereby for changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe, variable speed driving mechanism connected between the feeding means and the pattern cam shaft and arranged to be shifted for producing a progressively increasing or decreasing speed of the cam shaft relative to the speed of the feeding means, an electromagnet for shifting the driving mechanism and a switch actuated by the machine for preventing the magnet from being energized when the machine is at rest. a

18. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating on a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for feeding the shoe at a predetermined rate, a pattern cam shaft, mechanism operated thereby for changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe, variable speed driving mechanism connected between the feeding means and the pattern cam shaft and arranged to produce a progressive adjustment in the speed of the pattern cam shaft, and means for, alternately reversing the direction of speed adjustment of the cam shaft to cause the average relative speed of the cam shaft to remain substantially the same as that of the feeding means on the shoe.

19. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating on a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for feeding the shoe at a predetermined rate, a pattern cam shaft, mechanism operated thereby for changing the relative positions of the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe, variable'speed driving mechanism connecting the feeding means and the pattern cam shaft, arranged to produce selectively either a higher or a lower speed adjustment of the cam shaft relative to the speed of the feeding means on the shoe and comprising a variable speed gearing for producing a further progressive adjustment of speed of the cam shaft relative to that of the feeding means, a shaft driven from the variable speed mechanism for controlling said further adjustment of speed, and

a slip clutch between the shaft and the variable speed mechanism to prevent overrunning of the speed adjusting shaft.

20. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating on a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for feeding the shoe, a pattern cam shaft, mechanism operated thereby for changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe, variable speed mechanism connecting the feeding means and the pattern cam shaft, a connection between the cam shaft and the jack including a shiftable member arranged when shifted to produce abruptly either a higher or a lower speed adjustment of the pattern cam shaft relative to the speed of the feeding means, said variable speed mechanism comprising means arranged to produce a further adjustment of speed of the pattern cam shaft relative to that of the feeding means, and a shaft driven continuously from the gearing in one direction when the shiftable member is in one position and in the other direction when the shiftable member is in another position for causing said further adjustment of speed of the variable speed mechanism to increase or decrease progressively as long as the shiftable member remains in any one position.

21. A shoe machine having, in combination, means for operating on a shoe, a shoe supporting jack movable relatively to the operating means, means for feeding the shoe, a pattern cam shaft, mechanism operated thereby for changing the relative positions of the operating means and the jack to present the shoe properly to the operating means as the point of operation is trans.- ferred about the shoe, and variable speed driving mechanism connecting the cam shaft and the jack comprising a shiftable member arranged when shifted to produce an abrupt adjustment to either a higher or a lower speed of the pattern cam shaft relative to the speed of the feeding means, and means arranged to act simultaneously in causing the speed of the pattern cam shaft relative to that of the feeding means to be progressively adjusted as long as the shiftable member remains in one position.

LAURENCE E. TOPHAM. 

